289 CHS seniors celebrate milestone

Thursday

May 22, 2014 at 8:55 AM

Salutatorian Brandon Splitter encouraged his classmates to take chances and live life to the fullest, and valedictorian Ashley Sortors challenged her peers to follow their dreams as Carthage High School awarded diplomas to the 289 members of the class of 2014 during Tuesday night's graduation ceremony at K.E. Baker Stadium.

By Brennan Stebbins

Salutatorian Brandon Splitter encouraged his classmates to take chances and live life to the fullest, and valedictorian Ashley Sortors challenged her peers to follow their dreams as Carthage High School awarded diplomas to the 289 members of the class of 2014 during Tuesday night's graduation ceremony at K.E. Baker Stadium.Splitter said the unexplored path often holds the greatest potential in life."Do no not go where the path my lead," he said, quoting Ralph Waldo Emmerson. "Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. I believe that's what all of us need to do here. We need to be willing to explore the unknown, to take chances, to live life to the fullest because we only have one to live and we need to make sure it's a life worth living."Sortors asked her classmates: "Once we receive our diplomas we're no longer high schoolers, so now what are we?"She said each student must answer that question for themselves."What we do with the time given to us is up to us," she said. "We get to decide what we become and what we will do with our lives."She challenged members of the class to follow their dreams, achieve their goals and spend their time wisely."I know we will accomplish great things," she said.There was standing room only as an overflow crowd attended the 136th graduation ceremony for Carthage High School. Superintendent recognized honor students; 11 members of the class graduated with a 4.0 or higher grade point average, while a total of 37 finished high school with at least a 3.75 GPA.The ceremony included performances by the concert choir and high school band.Kandy Frazier, the high school principal, presented the class of 2014."Not only have they met the requirements but they have exceeded our expectations and demonstrated a sense of high character and community," she said.